Descartes acquires Impatex

GLOBAL logistics technology solutions-provider Descartes Systems has acquired Impatex, one of the UK’s largest customs and freight forwarding software companies.

Founded in the early 1980s by husband and wife team Peter and Sue Day, the company’s iCE (Integrated Customs for Europe) processing system services major players including Agility, CEVA, Damco, DHL, DSV, Expeditors, Geodis Wilson, Hellmann, Kuehne + Nagel, Panalpina, SDV, UPS and UTI.

Impatex’s browser-based forwarding and customs system, NetFreight designed for small to mid-size agents, also continues to go from strength to strength.

More than 100 forwarders in the UK and a growing number across the USA, Europe and the Middle East use NetFreight, which was invented by Evgeni Pantchev in 2007, a statement says.

Peter Day explains: “The global development of Impatex as an independent would have required the establishment of a much larger, international support structure, involving additional high costs. We received a timely approach from Descartes, who were looking to acquire a UK Customs software company, with Impatex being their preferred choice.”

He continues: “Norwegian-based KSD, which was also recently acquired by Descartes, has already developed the necessary links to European Customs and the integration of this with our own iCE system provides a very effective pan-European Customs solution. Descartes’ resources and complementary product portfolio will help Impatex to realise its full and considerable potential as a world-leading freight forwarding and Customs software provider.”

Impatex will continue to operate with its current management and staff at its offices near Southampton (Hampshire) until further notice. Peter and Sue Day will assist with the transition. The couple are also setting up a new firm - Freight Network Software Ltd - to promote NetFreight to forwarding networks in the UK and the USA, according to the statement.